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Power Control & SwitchgearPrecise control — from a single zone to a 760 kW field

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SC-IR Power Control & Switchgear Ansicht 1

SC-IR Power Control & Switchgear Ansicht 2

SC-IR Power Control & Switchgear Ansicht 3

The best IR lamp only delivers full performance when the control is right. SOPARA designs and manufactures custom switchgear cabinets for IR systems — from simple power variation of individual panels to multi-zone control of complete heating fields with over 760 kW total power. Each switchgear cabinet is designed precisely for the respective IR field and process: Thyristor controllers with phase angle and soft start protect quartz lamps at startup. Pyrometers and thermocouples enable a closed control loop for precise product temperature control. Automatic or manual power variation — as required.

Technical Documentation

Brochure

Manual

STEP / Drawing

Technical Data

Max. Total Power> 760 kW (documented)

Power ControlThyristor controller (SCR) with phase angle

Soft StartYes, for quartz lamp protection

ControlPLC with touch panel or customer control integration

Temperature SensorsIR pyrometer and/or thermocouple

Control LoopClosed-loop PID control on product temperature

Zone ControlIndependently controllable, number as required

Voltage230V / 400V / custom

Data ExportTemperature curves via USB (Excel) or network

DesignCustomer-specific, per switchgear standards

Benefits

All from one source — Lamp, IR field and switchgear from the same manufacturer. Perfectly matched — no interface risk between lamp supplier and switchgear builder.

Soft start extends lamp lifetime — The gentle ramp-up at startup reduces thermal stress on filaments and measurably extends quartz lamp lifetime.

Precise product temperature control — Closed-loop PID control with pyrometer or thermocouple maintains setpoint temperature on the product — regardless of speed changes or material switches.

Documentation and traceability — Temperature curves and process data are recorded and can be exported via USB or network — for quality assurance and process documentation.

Scalable — From simple single-zone control to 760 kW multi-zone switchgear — SOPARA designs each cabinet precisely to requirements.

Integration — Standalone operation with own touch panel or seamless integration into the machine's existing PLC control — both possible.

Reference project

760 kW switchgear for a German customer: SOPARA designed, manufactured and delivered one of the largest documented IR switchgear cabinets for a customer in Germany — 760 kW total power with multi-zone control. Transport, commissioning and integration into the existing plant control from a single source.

Available Options

Automatic power variation — control to product temperature via pyrometer

Manual power variation — direct setting of zone power via touch panel

Standalone control — own PLC with touch panel, independent of machine control

Customer control integration — integration into existing PLC (Siemens, Beckhoff, Allen-Bradley, etc.)

Recipe management — storage and recall of different product recipes with defined temperature profiles

Data export — USB, Ethernet or fieldbus for process documentation and quality assurance

ATEX version — for explosive atmospheres in solvent-based processes

More options on request

Applications

Power control for IR fields in coating, laminating and embossing lines. Control of multi-zone heating fields across the full working width.

Control of IR booster modules in existing lines

Complete switchgear solutions for new installations — directly matched to the OEM's machine control

Modernization of control technology when retrofitting existing IR fields

For machine builders: SOPARA delivers the switchgear as a ready-to-install module matching your machine control — one contact for lamps, IR field and control

For plant operators: When retrofitting existing IR fields, the control is modernized at the same time — a new SOPARA switchgear often pays for itself through longer lamp lifetime alone

Why SOPARA

84 years of infrared expertise — Founded 1942 in France. As one of the oldest specialty brands for industrial infrared technology, SOPARA brings over eight decades of development and manufacturing expertise to every plant.

References with European industry leaders — SOPARA IR systems are running at market leaders in automotive, composites, flooring and nuclear — powering the most demanding thermal processes at French and European top companies.

Test laboratory in Pusignan near Lyon — Your material is validated in the SOPARA infrared lab on actual substrates: wavelength, power density and process parameters. Concrete results before the investment decision — no theory, no assumptions.

System expertise — from component to turnkey plant — Not just IR lamps. SOPARA delivers complete thermal process solutions: lamps, reflectors, protective glass, IR fields, power control, switchgear and process control. One contact for the entire thermal process. Made in France, ISO 9001:2015 certified, 5 % of sales invested in R&D.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does SOPARA's power control include? — Thyristor controllers with phase angle control and soft start, independently controllable per zone. SOPARA delivers the complete unit incl. switchgear — from lamp to socket from one source.

Why is power control so important? — Without precise control, IR power fluctuates, leading to uneven drying, energy waste or material damage. SOPARA's thyristor controllers react in milliseconds.

Can SOPARA supply switchgear for third-party IR systems? — SOPARA designs and manufactures power control and switchgear primarily for its own IR systems. For retrofit projects, compatibility is assessed case by case.

What is included in the switchgear? — Thyristor power controllers, PLC control or connection to customer-side PLC, safety devices and operator interface.

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